Marketing To Homeschool Families? Try This Convention Hot Spot

So, exactly how many homeschool in America? In 2007, the National Center for Education Statistics (nces) estimated there were 1.5 million homeschool students in America. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine estimates there are currently over 2 million homeschool students. They both also estimate that the expenditure for each student is between $500-$600 each year. That translates to over one billion dollars spent on homeschooling each year. That’s a pretty healthy number that has peaked the attention of marketers everywhere.

The internet has truly leveled the playing field for everyone that wants to start a business. In addition, the homeschool in America is maturing, coming of age you might say. Choices in curriculum have multiplied exponentially and improved greatly along with information online. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more. Now that their children are grown, many moms are retiring from homeschooling and entering the market with what they know. These moms also have the advantage of knowing how to reach other homeschoolers – in an big way.

Of all the many places to reach homeschool families, one of the best ways to reach the largest number in a very short time is at a homeschool convention. If you have homeschooled very long, I would be surprised if you had not attended one by now. Giant halls filled with curriculum vendors and every homeschool product you can think of including healthy bread baking products!  Coupled with workshops and speakers to encourage and inspire you in your educational journey, it’s no wonder it’s the highlight of the year for most homeschool families.

Some areas of the country are much more active than others, but the hot spot seems to be in Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m sure California does pretty good, too, but for some reason it seems that the numbers for the convention in Ohio tops the charts. So, why Cincinnati, Ohio? It might be the central location in the heart of the Midwest where homeschooling thrives-hence more homeschool families.

I think the sheer size of the convention contributes to the draw, after all, bigger is better, right? Granted, the size of the convention won’t guarantee quality, but it will guarantee information overload! However, the super size of this convention does provide better funding for better keynote speakers and facilities. It makes a difference.

Regardless of the reason, the organizers of this mammoth event have recently added 3 more locations to their selection and now call themselves “Great Homeschool Conventions”. Next year there will be events in Memphis, TN, Philadelphia, PA and Greenville, NC in addition to the one in Cincinnati. Extremely affordable for any  homeschool family, it’s a great place to rent a table (booth) and share your homeschool-related product.

If you have never been to or done anything like this before, be sure to visit one before you actually take the exhibitor leap. Look at other exhibitors like yourself and see what catches your eye. You will come away with a zillion ideas, I promise! You may also want to start at a much smaller convention to get your feet wet.

There are several places to find conventions in your area. Your state or regional homeschool site always has the latest local information. If you aren’t sure of your local homeschool organization, HSLDA has a list you can find at http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp

Ann Zeise’s Homeschool’s Cool has a page with event listings for many states.

My favorite place to find conventions is Great Stuff Convention Bags. It’s also a place to find a very cost effective method to “display” at the convention without actually going! You supply the flyer and they will include it in the goody bags made available (free) at your designated convention. I’m sure there are many conventions not included on Great Stuff’s list, so don’t assume it’s a catch-all convention listing.

If anyone knows of a comprehensive list of all conventions, please let me know. I thought there would be at least one website that had them all in one place, but did not find one. There is an idea for a blog!

Happy marketing!  (no links in this post are affiliate links, BTW)

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